Sunday, September 20, 2009

"Humlog ordinary log hain--Aam Janta--The Mango People"

Mohit Chauhan has undoubtedly become my favourite singer. I am not qualified/knowledgeable enough to comment intelligently on what is good about his singing, so if I can use that much bandied term, I would just say his voice is soulful and connects with you at some level.

It certainly helps that he has got some of the best songs to have come out of Bollywood in recent time. I credit Rahman for bringing him full throttle in Bombay films when he gave him the opportunity for that stirring rendition of the song Khoon Chala in Rang De Basanti. ( I remember watching this movie in Alpana theatre, Model Town , Delhi and felt that the effectiveness of the scene of police lathicharge was elevated to a different plane because this song accompanied it.). Even though his song "Sabse Picche Hum Khade" was used in the 2004 movie "Let's Enjoy", how many people really watched that movie?(6, including the director and producer? :-))

Then came Tum Se Hi from Jab We Met and he started getting his due share of recognition.

Masakalli from Delhi 6 brought out a different playful side of him.

And then comes Ye Dooriyan from Imtiaz Ali's contemporary take on relationships and love "Love Aaj Kal"

(Last scene where Saif comes to meet Deepika is so touching..
I can't help but provide a running commentary of that scene...

Deepika is in workman's clothes, painting an old fort like building..she is in old building renovation ...She is on a platform at a height close to the ceiling ....
Camera is on Deepika's face and then Saif's voice comes..
"Dekho main pile on nahin karana chahta huun"
Deepika looks down and finds Saif...Camera is on Saif's face and he says
"Magar yeh Romeo Aur Juliet, Heer ranjha, Laila Majnoo - yeh janam janam ka saath type ke log - yeh sirf kahaniyon mein hote hain, right?"
Camera back to Deepika's face for a fleeting moment and then back to Saif and he continues.."Tum aur main..humlog ordinary log hain...aam janta--the mango people--humein marke amar nahin hona hai...humein saath rahana hai...isi janam mein saath rahna hai...kya bolti ho?"